Featherston Camp

An easy to miss layby on the Featherston to Tauherenikau stretch of State Highway 2 marks the location of New Zealand's largest military training camp (1916 -1918) and a memorial of cherry trees to Japanese killed when the location was, in the second World War, a prisoner of war camp. A single cross marks a memorial to the one NZ prison guard killed in the same incident.

There is an interpretation board and a simple plaque saying poignantly that this was the last New Zealand home for thousands of soldiers.

This was a significant site in New Zealand's Military history. The camp, which has now reverted to farmland, was the training ground for thousands of soldiers during World War One. It was also the place of death for many others when it was ravaged by the 1918 Influenza Epidemic. Researchers describe uncovering the stories in the 'death register'. Later, the demolished camp was rebuilt on the same site to create accommodation for Japanese Prisoners of War from 1942 to 1945. During this period, 49 Japanese Prisoners of War lost their lives in a confrontation with guards over work duties. This event was called the Featherston Incident. Since 2015, heated discussion has surrounded plans for a sculpture to commemorate the 'Featherston Incident' in Featherston Town Centre. NZPlaces recommends clicking on the link to Radio New Zealand.

More on the story of the camp and the incident which killed 49 Japanese can be found in displays at the Featherston Heritage Museum.

Image Credits: NZPlaces and Archives New Zealand, Featherston Military Camp Panorama 9 September 1914 taken by Charles Edward Wildbore of Pohangina.